Augmentics refers to the technology of augmenting or modifying the body, abilities, and characteristics of a biont or vec, whether for cosmetic, ascendic, or other purposes. This includes bioware, cyberware, wetware, and so on.

Body Modification is accepted as a right and a part of everyday life on many of the worlds of the Civilized Galaxy; this is the result of thousands of years of progress in biotechnology and, perhaps more importantly, a long, slow process of change in society towards acceptance of the right of a sophont to change eir characteristics.

Articles

Ainstinct - Text by Todd DrashnerArtificial (later Artificially Intelligent) instincts first developed during the mid-Interplanetary Age.

Algernon - Text by Steve BowersInterplanetary age name for an individual who has had unsuccessful intelligence augmentation treatment of some kind; many different types of augmentation treatment were developed to boost baseline human mental capacity, but many of these did not work. From a (now lost ) Information Age fable, Flowers for Algernon.

Ascension Compensation Mods - Text by CyborgdreamerModifications that allow an ascended individual to interact with former associates more easily.

Asomniac - Text by Ryan BOrganism whose physiology has no sleep requirement; very common in vec and AI clades.

Augmentation - Text by M. Alan KazlevEnhancing natural physical or mental abilities through the use of organic, cybernetic, bionano, or hylonano technology. The resulting augment is a person whose physical or cognitive abilities have been biologically and/or technologically expanded beyond the range of baseline humans.

Augmented Reality (AR) - Text by M. Alan Kazlev after the original in Anders Sandberg's Transhumanist TerminologyA personalized view of reality, the result of filtering, translation, and addition of new perceptions, such as annotations, information or virtual objects; essential for any sapient being to function in most of the civilized galaxy, and interact with all but the most basic tech..

Backup - Text by Stephen InnissA recording of the entire physical mind/body state of any entity created with the intent that it might be replicated at a later date.

Bioborg - Text by M. Alan KazlevBioborgs are humans, animals, or other lifeforms, heavily modified via biocircuitry, biomachinery, biosymbers, bionano, wetware, etc (collectively: bioware). No inorganic components (other than some occasional support or reinforcing structures) are used at all for any of these augmentations.

Biomechanics - Text by M. Alan KazlevScience that deals with the biont body as a mechanism to which the laws of physics are applied to study, treatment, and augment movement and athletic performance. Includes kinesiology, sports science, kinetic and athletic bioware and cyberware, and other topics.

Biomod - Text by M. Alan KazlevA biotech or bioborg augment or mod, especially one that can be easily or relatively easily applied to any biont, bioborg, cyborg, biovec.

Biostasis - Text by Steve Bowers with comments by John BA means of preserving biological life in suspended animation over long journeys or in unsatisfactory environments.

Borg - Text by M. Alan KazlevGeneric term for a biont who uses radical bio-organ or cyborg augmentation to modify eir phenotype or body.

Brainstorm - Text by Todd DrashnerSemi-legal drug occasionally used by baselines/near- baselines seeking to solve a complex problem without the assistance of an ai.

Compubones - Text by Tony JonesA bionano process whereby portions of a subject's skeleton are converted into bionanocomputers, using bionanomachines, which run off the subject's blood supply. Compubones are customised to the user's biology to seamlessly integrate into the body and provide the same functions as bone.

Crashcache - Text by Todd Drashner with contributions from David Jackson and John BEmergency medical/disaster survival device designed to safely contain the mind-states of multiple numbers (sometimes very large numbers) of sophonts.

Cybernetics - Text by M. Alan Kazlev and Stephen InnissIn popular usage, the study of the creation of cyborgs through the use of dryware/hylotech such as mechanical, electronic, and bionic implants, augments, and neuroprostheses. In technical usage, the study of communication and control systems based on regulatory feedback, with application in a number of fields such as sociology, memetics, biology, engineering, artificial intelligence, and information theory.

Cyrano Mod - Text by David JacksonSelf-contained memetic-processing suite that monitors the conversation and analyzes the data being fed to it by physiological sensors with the purpose of suggesting dialogue that might favorably promote the user's desired outcome.

Direct Neural Interface - Text by Ad Astra, updated by Ryan BUbiquitous technological implant for connecting a sophont's brain to their exoself, the Net, nearby artifacts, and other beings.

Effector Frame - Text by Todd DrashnerType of handtech device using utility fog based 'limbs'. Often used by sophonts working in non-angelnet conditions to generate a variable number of limbs, 'smart' anchor lines, grippers, etc.

Endoskeleton (biology) - Text by M. Alan KazlevFramework or skeleton inside the body, used as attachment for muscles and organs, as opposed to exoskeleton.

Exoself - Text by Anders Sandberg; modified by Steve Bowers, Updated by Ryan B (2017)Systems linked to the self in a cooperative way, extending the mind and the body. Especially used about the systems supporting an uploaded personality, providing information, virtual reality and monitoring.

Exoskeleton - Text by M. Alan KazlevAn external skeleton as found in arthropods, or a suit of protective sealed powered armour worn as clothing, or similarly protective modifications or augments of the body.

Faster Lifestyle, The - Text by Jorge DitchkenbergA subculture of humans, or occasionally bionts of other clades, whose goal is to obtain all their energy and organic compounds through internal technologies and thereby avoid eating.

Fenestra - Text by M. Alan Kazlev[1] Biontanatomy: a natural hole or opening in a bone or other hard structure, to allow the passage of nerves, blood-vessels, etc.[2] Bioborgarmor: a small opening for feedlines, and other vessels.

Genotypic Augmentation - Text by M. Alan KazlevModification or augmentation that effects only the genotype of the gametes and descendants of an organism. Genotypic augmentation is biological or genetic modification or augmentation that effects only the genotype of the gametes and descendants of an organism. It does not alter the characteristics of the user, or of clones from the user's somatic cells, but it does modify that of all of the user's offspring. Contrast with phenotypic augmentation.

Godmod - Text by Todd DrashnerSlang for a bodymod that is designed and/or undertaken by a hyperturing or higher level mind for use on a baseline or near-baseline being. Usually the result of a bargain or deal made between the two. Very highly valued and semi-mythical although there are a few documented instances.

Haptic interface, Haptics - Text by M. Alan KazlevIn non-DNI virtual reality systems, the physical actuators that provide the user with a sense of touch, including the sensing of pressure and temperature. Still used by some anti-cyborgization clades and phyles today.

Hemi - Text by John BAn offshoot of Brainstorm, Hemi has much reduced side effects and greatly enhances one hemisphere of the brain. A person suffering an artistic 'blockage' might take a dose of Right Hemi to break through the blockage, or a would-be composer take it to provide talent which might otherwise be lacking. Hemi, due to its even more severely psychologically addictive nature, is illegal in all but the rarest communities. Left Hemi, incidentally, handles mathematics...

Heteromorphs - Text by Steve BowersModosophont bionts, usually but not always humans, who have altered their physical form until they are substantially different from their original form.

Immortechnics - Text by Mark Plus, in Anders Sandberg's Transhuman TerminologyCollectively, the technologies which are applied to attempt radical life extension, such as calorie-restricted dieting, cryonics, medical nano, uploading, etc.

Inline University - Text by Max M. Rasmussen, in Anders Sandberg's Transhuman TerminologyNanocomputer or general computronium implant or implants serving to increase intelligence and education of their owners, essentially turning them into a walking university. Especially common on Ken Ferjik, Alexandria, and other university worlds and megastructures.

Intelligence Augmentation (IA) - Text by M. Alan KazlevArtificial means of increasing or altering the intelligence of a sophont; most notably via direct neural interface with exoself programs or the physical reengineering of neural substrate.

Ireaders - Text by Tony JonesModification — later clade — with increased linguistic ability, extending it to give an instinctive childhood ability to learn not only spoken but also written language, as easily as an unmodified baseline human learns to speak.

Lifelog - Text by Steve BowersThe practice of recording a person's experiences and opinions in a comprehensive multimedia diary form.

Living Tattoo - Text by Todd DrashnerA form of decoration that consists of one or more species of gengineered micro-organism being introduced into the skin (or fur, or feathers, or onto the shell, scales, or carapace) of a sophont and then induced to develop in a manner that results in a visible pattern or image being displayed.

Melder - Text by Todd DrashnerSix-legged oxygen breathing symbiote/parasite with the ability to meld itself to a wide variety of lifeforms.

Memory Box - Text by Todd DrashnerData storage unit used to contain the mind-state. Also contains a digitized copy of the owners biocode to allow the nano- construction of a new body if the original is destroyed. A standard memory box is a rectangular solid approximately of dimension 3x1.5x.75cm. Memory boxes are typically copied at least three times and the copies kept in separate locations. They are also built to be as close to indestructible as their owners can afford. A standard design typically involves multilayer buckytube shells interspersed with foamed ceramic thermal insulation.

Memory Grubs - Text by John BThese relatively short, damp wormlike creatures were created deliberately in the 33rd century AT to fulfil a role - to help baselines organize and recall memory better.

Memory Retrieval - Text by Anders SandbergIf one has a constant learning rate and a brain (or equivalent) of any given size then eventually the oldest memories are forgotten unless an effort is made to refresh them. If one decreases the learning rate then senility is a danger. As an alternative one can add extra memory - which in the long run means becoming posthuman (or postbiont, postvec, etc.) to manage all that information. Another alternative is to undergo periodic "childhoods" where the brain is made more plastic and one forgets a bit but not everything from previous incarnations, but this entails some loss of identity and some personality shift. Corporations like Psyber Retrievals, Inc - "Let us remember it for you!" - offer memory storage units for this reason.

Mnemonet - Text by Todd DrashnerBiocybernetic network of nanodevices grown in an organic brain and working to constantly record the owners brain activity and memories. The contents of the network are periodically downloaded to a central file and integrated into the mind-state stored there. If the owner dies for some reason, the mind-state is activated and instantiated in a new body to continue the life of the original. Mnemonets are also used to expand the memory of the user when the original organic memory has reached its limits due to the length of the users lifespan. In the more advanced systems, mnemonets designs are written into the gene-code of all citizens so that they develop as part of the natural growth process of a fetus and child.

Moodomorphic - Text by M. Alan KazlevClothing, bionano or hylonano augments that alter themselves, or even the appearance of the wearer/user, according to the mood of that individual. Some individuals and clades regularly morph their entire bodies in this way. Hence, moodomorpher, moodomorphist, etc.

Morphotype - Text by Stephen InnissIn biology, or in the study of clades, a shared shape and general appearance, regardless of origin or relationship. The result of convergent evolution in natural beings, or of common design solutions or purposeful imitation in artificial beings.

Olfactory Array - Text by John EddsA device used to detect volatilized and fluid-phase chemical compounds suspended in air, or another fluid medium.

Optimal Persona - Text by Modified from Max More in Anders Sandberg's Transhuman terminologyIn high choice societies and individuals, an imagined model of the ideal person or entity one wishes to become. The Optimal Persona is the ideal self, the higher (and continually developing) individual, which can be attained through augmentation, yogic development, and other techniques.

Optimodding - Text by M. Alan KazlevUsing augments and mods to enhance one's abilities in a balanced and optimal way. Also known as Balancemodding. Optimodding gives just as many benefits and enhancements as other approaches, but requires a slower and more mature approach, rather than rushing in and acquiring the flashiest glittermods or biggest powermods. In the Sephirotic worlds and polities, transapients advise sapient augmenters of the best augments and morphotypes to experiment with, while at the same time not limiting the creativity and freedom (including freedom to make mistakes) of the lower sapients.

Overcharge - Text by John BThis is a deliberately destructive biostimulant cocktail designed to greatly amplify the capabilities of the baseline body. It is often considered to be the 'last gasp' of the pure baseline warrior concept.

Pantropy - Text by Steve BowersThe practice of adapting humans (and other bionts) to live comfortably in a planetary environment rather than attempting to change that environment to resemble the home world.

Phenotypic Augmentation - Text by M. Alan KazlevBiological or genetic modification or augmentation that effects the phenotype only. It alters the characteristics of the user, and sometimes also that of clones from the user's somatic cells, but it does not modify the user's offspring. Contrast with genotypic augmentation.

Pidgin Lobes - Text by Steve BowersLanguage modules that can be plugged into a cyborg's exocortex to facilitate language translation.

Pimple Socket - Text by M. Alan KazlevA microscopic interface socket by which a biont can use cyberware (e.g. DNI) without appearing like a "buttonhead". The name cames from the fact that the socket itself is surrounded by a small bump or pimple that allows the user to find it even without augmentations.

Polysophonce - Text by AI Vin, with additions by Steve BowersEntities that have multiple minds (some of which need not be fully sophont) operating in a single body.

Rewrite - Text by Todd DrashnerThe use of bionanotech to grow a control network inside a living being that allows the user to permanently modify or replace a subject's memory, beliefs, and personality.

Rinomolitic Matrix - Text by M. Alan Kazlev based on original idea by Kevin SelfA self-reproducing crystalline matrix that has the ability to interface with a sentient nervous system and enhance its cognitive abilities. The substance is a nano-lifeform, a kind of wild nanocomputer apparently designed for interfacing, originally discovered on Kariton.

Skill Module - Text by Ryan BA class of software augment that operates by interfacing with a sophont's central nervous system to provide and/or teach a specific set of skills.

Slinguists - Text by Tony JonesModification — later a clade — more advanced than Ireaders, having not just an instinctive childhood ability to learn written communications, but made that highly efficient childhood learning process a permanent second 'layer' of ability when learning to communicate.

Starlight Gene Patch - Text by James RamseyAn interactive library and gengineering instrument that adapts a biont to local day/night cycles and the wavelengths of available light in a new environment.

Sunwing Augment, The - Text by AI VinThe Sunwing Augment allows an augmented human to fly without mechanical aid with the added bonus of photovoltaic power collection.

Technoetics - Text by M. Alan KazlevNanotech wetware or firmware distributed through the cerebral cortex (and sometimes the entire CNS and ANS) that is able to detect realtime electrochemical neuronal activity, reconstructing the whole (through the cerebral cortex, as well as CNS and ANS reflexes) and translating it into an authentic noetic gestalt or stream of consciousness that can be used for non-destructive real-time uploading, technotelepathy, or cyberfacing with devices in one's immediate environment, or with a higher toposophic seraiph or ai. Technoetics differs considerably in efficiency and authenticity according to the sophistication of the particular wetware/firmware/software used.

Technotelepathy - Text by M. Alan Kazlev and Steve BowersUse of commlinked technoetics to enable two (or more) entities to experience the same sensorium and stream of consciousness, sometimes without the knowledge of one (or more) parties.

Thought-Stream Recorder - Text by Domagoj KA cybernetic device that continually records a sophont's thoughts into a log that can be inspected later. Typically used in conjunction with DNI, it is employed for forensic, introspective, research, and security purposes.

Touchlink - Text by Todd DrashnerTactile control interface used to connect a users onboard system with external devices without the use of radio or optical transmission technology.

Transbiomorphosis - Text by Adaptecd from Max More, in Anders Sandberg's Transhuman Terminology[1] (Interplanetary Age, First Federation, Terran Federation): The transformation of the human body from a natural, biological organism into a superior, consciously designed vehicle of personality.[2] Genetekkers, Genen, Zoeific Biopolity, TRHN - dramatic modification of one's biological form, not necessarily into a superior (although sometimes that) but just a different form, as a lifestyle choice or artistic expression.